Rally outside Calvert’s office urging he block potential Medicaid cuts

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - People with disabilities and supporters gathered Monday outside Rep. Ken Calvert's office to protest potential cuts to Medicaid.

Under the recently passed Budget Reconciliation bill, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees programs like Medicaid, has been instructed to cut at least $880 billion in waste, fraud and abuse.

Judy Mark, organizer, says that would only stop vital money from reaching those who need it.

"There is no proof there is that much in waste, fraud and abuse. We’re not saying that you can’t tighten things up here and there but what we know is that my son who depends on medicaid will be devastated by the cuts. This is not small tinkering around the edges, they are using a hatchet to get out waste, fraud and abuse.” 

Judy Mark, organizer

Demonstrators are demanding Calvert, who voted in favor of the budget plan, reverse course. They marched to his Palm Desert office, but it appeared no one was there.

One local health care manager says the impacts of such cuts would go far beyond just reduced health coverage.

“If we make those cuts in healthcare and preventative care, we’re going to end up paying more in hospitals. The federal government doesn’t mandate people be seen by the hospital and so if we cut medicaid, what happens people will end up in the hospital and that will cost us all more.” 

Ben, health care manager

In a statement to News Channel 3, Rep. Ken Calvert says:

Republicans in Congress are committed to protecting Medicaid benefits for Californians and other Americans who rely on the program, including children, mothers, and the disabled. One of the best ways to safeguard Medicaid  and taxpayers is to root out waste, fraud and abuse wherever it exists in the program.

Medicaid covers about 1 in 5 Americans, including:

• low-income people
• pregnant women
• children
• people with disabilities

This is the first of nine rallies to take place across the state of California this week.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.